Common Legal Terms

Закон (Zakon) – Law. This is perhaps the most fundamental term in any legal dictionary. In Bulgarian, “закон” refers to the system of rules that a country or community recognizes as regulating the actions of its members.

Съд (Sǎd) – Court. The institution where legal cases are heard and decided. This term is crucial for anyone involved in legal proceedings.

Съдия (Sǎdiya) – Judge. The person who presides over court proceedings. The judge ensures that the law is followed and makes rulings on legal matters.

Адвокат (Advokat) – Lawyer. A professional who is qualified to offer advice about the law or represent someone in legal matters.

Обвиняем (Obvinyaem) – Defendant. The person who is accused of a crime in a court of law.

Ищец (Ishchets) – Plaintiff. The person who brings a case against another in a court of law.

Престъпление (Prestǎplenie) – Crime. An action or omission that constitutes an offense and is punishable by law.

Договор (Dogovor) – Contract. A written or spoken agreement that is intended to be enforceable by law.

Наказание (Nakazanie) – Punishment. The penalty imposed for committing a crime.

Глоба (Globa) – Fine. A sum of money exacted as a penalty by a court of law or other authority.

Legal Proceedings and Documentation

Дело (Delo) – Case. A legal matter that is being considered or decided by a court.

Процес (Protses) – Trial. The formal examination of evidence in a court, typically with a judge, and often a jury, in order to decide guilt in a case of criminal or civil proceedings.

Присъда (Prisǎda) – Verdict. The decision reached by a jury or judge in a trial.

Апел (Apel) – Appeal. A process for requesting a formal change to an official decision.

Свидетел (Svidetel) – Witness. A person who sees an event, typically a crime or accident, take place.

Показания (Pokazaniya) – Testimony. A formal written or spoken statement given in a court of law.

Доказателство (Dokazatelstvo) – Evidence. Information presented to a court to prove or disprove a point in question.

Завещание (Zaveshtanie) – Will. A legal document by which a person expresses their wishes as to how their property is to be distributed at death.

Наследство (Nasledstvo) – Inheritance. Property or money received from someone who has died.

Пълномощно (Pǎlnomoshtno) – Power of Attorney. A legal document authorizing one person to act on another’s behalf.

Types of Law

Гражданско право (Grazhdansko pravo) – Civil Law. The body of laws of a state or nation regulating ordinary private matters, as distinct from laws regulating criminal, political, or military matters.

Наказателно право (Nakazatelno pravo) – Criminal Law. The body of law that relates to crime and the regulation of social conduct and proscribes whatever is threatening, harmful, or otherwise endangering to the property, health, safety, and moral welfare of people.

Трудово право (Trudovo pravo) – Labor Law. The body of law relating to the rights and responsibilities of workers and their employers.

Семейно право (Semeino pravo) – Family Law. The area of law that deals with family matters and domestic relations, including marriage, divorce, child custody, and other issues.

Административно право (Administrativno pravo) – Administrative Law. The body of law that regulates the operation and procedures of government agencies.

Конституционно право (Konstitutsionno pravo) – Constitutional Law. The body of law that defines the relationship of different entities within a state, namely, the executive, the legislature, and the judiciary.

Law Enforcement and Penalty Terms

Арест (Arest) – Arrest. The act of detaining someone in legal custody.

Подсъдим (Podsǎdim) – Accused. A person or group of people who are charged with or on trial for a crime.

Преследване (Presledvane) – Prosecution. The institution and conducting of legal proceedings against someone in respect of a criminal charge.

Защитник (Zashtitnik) – Defense Attorney. A lawyer specializing in the defense of individuals and companies charged with criminal conduct.

Обвинение (Obvinenie) – Charge. A formal accusation that someone has committed a crime.

Наказателно преследване (Nakazatelno presledvane) – Criminal Prosecution. The process of prosecuting someone for a crime.

Осъждане (Osǎzhdane) – Conviction. A formal declaration that someone is guilty of a criminal offense.

Освобождаване (Osvobozhdavane) – Acquittal. A judgment that a person is not guilty of the crime with which they have been charged.

Наказателен кодекс (Nakazatelen kodeks) – Penal Code. The body of laws that define criminal offenses and specify corresponding fines and punishments.

Court Terms

Висш съд (Vissh sǎd) – Supreme Court. The highest judicial court in a country or state.

Окръжен съд (Okrǎzhen sǎd) – District Court. A state of federal trial court.

Апелативен съд (Apelativen sǎd) – Appellate Court. A court having jurisdiction to review decisions of a trial-level or other lower court.

Магистрат (Magistrat) – Magistrate. A civil officer or lay judge who administers the law.

Юрисдикция (Yurisdiktsiya) – Jurisdiction. The official power to make legal decisions and judgments.

Съдебен процес (Sǎdeben protses) – Litigation. The process of taking legal action.

Мирова съдия (Mirova sǎdiya) – Justice of the Peace. A judicial officer of a lower court, typically one who deals with minor offenses.

Законов представител (Zakonov predstavitel) – Legal Representative. A person who has the legal authority to act on behalf of another person.

Other Noteworthy Legal Terms

Иск (Isk) – Claim. A demand for something as rightful or due.

Компенсация (Kompensatsiya) – Compensation. Something, typically money, awarded to someone in recognition of loss, suffering, or injury.

Уговорка (Ugovorka) – Clause. A distinct article or provision in a contract, treaty, will, or other formal or legal written document.

Задължение (Zadǎlzhenie) – Obligation. A legal or moral duty to do or not do something.

Право (Pravo) – Right. A moral or legal entitlement to have or do something.

Отговорност (Otgovoornost) – Responsibility. The state or fact of being accountable or to blame for something.

Санкция (Sanktsiya) – Sanction. A threatened penalty for disobeying a law or rule.

Правосъдие (Pravosǎdie) – Justice. Just behavior or treatment, the quality of being fair and reasonable.

Съдебен заседател (Sǎdeben zasedatel) – Juror. A member of a jury.

Обжалване (Obzhalvane) – Appeal. Apply to a higher court for a reversal of the decision of a lower court.

Изпълнително производство (Izpǎlnitelno proizvodstvo) – Enforcement Proceedings. The process of ensuring compliance with a law, regulation, or obligation.

Legal Documents

Акт (Akt) – Act. A written ordinance of a legislative body; a statute.

Наредба (Naredba) – Regulation. A rule or directive made and maintained by an authority.

Лиценз (Litsenz) – License. A permit from an authority to own or use something, do a particular thing, or carry on a trade.

Сертификат (Sertifikat) – Certificate. An official document attesting a certain fact.

Свидетелство (Svidetelstvo) – Certificate, Testimony. An official document attesting a certain fact, or formal evidence given in a legal context.

Патент (Patent) – Patent. A government authority or license conferring a right or title for a set period.

Декларация (Deklaratsiya) – Declaration. A formal statement or announcement.

Изявление (Izyaavlenie) – Statement. A definite or clear expression of something in speech or writing.

Заповед (Zapoved) – Order. An authoritative command, direction, or instruction.

Съгласие (Sǎglasie) – Consent. Permission for something to happen or agreement to do something.

Доказателствен материал (Dokazatelstven material) – Evidence Material. Any material that can be used to support or refute an argument in a court of law.

Изпълнителен лист (Izpǎlnitelen list) – Writ of Execution. A court order granting the enforcement of a judgment.

Conclusion

Acquiring a solid grasp of legal terminology is essential for navigating the legal systems of any country. For English speakers learning Bulgarian, familiarizing themselves with these common legal terms can significantly ease the process of understanding legal documents and proceedings. This knowledge is invaluable for professionals working in legal fields, individuals involved in business transactions, or anyone who wants to be more informed about their rights and responsibilities under Bulgarian law. By mastering these terms, you can confidently engage with the Bulgarian legal system and ensure that you are well-prepared for any legal matters that may arise.